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Murphy's Bar and Grill's new co-owner,
Steve Halterman, is not afraid to get
behind the bar and sling a brew or two.
The seasoned sports bar is getting a refreshed
look in coming weeks, but the Urbandale
bar will remain open during renovations.

By Amber Williams

Nowadays it seems real sports fanatics have
state-of-the-art home entertainment systems
accompanied by the TV networks' package tickets
of all the televised games. So people can invite
a party of friends to spill beer and popcorn
on their fancy furniture and clean carpet on
every huge play that explodes on the screen.

Yet fans still flock to Murphy's Bar and Grill
in Urbandale where a fair amount of spillage
is expected. It has become the "official
game watching location" for both the Polk
County I-Club and the Greater Des Moines Cyclone
Club, according to new owner Steve Halterman.

"We root for the Hawkeyes, too," Halterman
ensured. "We encourage both Cyclone and
Hawkeye fans to come for games, and we love
having people come for the Panther games, too.
It's a great place to watch a ball game — one
of the best places in town."

And with 16 various-sized TVs, including two
big screen projectors, mounted along every wall
and corner in the joint, there's not a bad seat
in the house.

Halterman and his wife, Susan, bought Murphy's
on July 1 with the intention of providing the
neighborhood with… well, with what it has offered
for almost a decade — an "upscale"
alternative sports bar. Located near two busy
streets, 100th Street and Hickman Road, it's
one of the only places where folks can go without
the carousing crowd of bar-hoppers. It's a destination
spot, and as Halterman puts it, "It's not
a dive."

"It's a nice bar and a very friendly place.
Our servers are always smiling, and the bartenders
know your name," he said.

That's what the Haltermans liked about it when
they first patronized Murphy's years ago. Known
among their friends as hospitable hosts during
pool parties and gatherings at their home, the
self-proclaimed "foodies" decided
to enter into the bar/restaurant business.

"We like people; we like food; and we like
sports, so this was a great way to put all three
of those things we like together," Halterman
said.

Although the pub/eatery has proven to have staying
power in its current location (originally named
Murphy's Law before it changed in 2002), the
last owners decided to pass on the torch, and
the Haltermans have plans. Though they like
it the way it is, in coming weeks Murphy's will
lighten up a bit, both in its appearance and
menu, featuring more wraps and salads to an
already Irish bar with a "Mexican mix"
on the menu, Halterman said.

A fresh coat of paint, some new carpet and refinished
wood ought to "freshen the place up a bit,
as well," Halterman said. And the establishment
will remain open while work is underway.

Along with the staff, most things will not change
at the bar, though. Its spacious eating and
drinking areas and 20-seat bar invite the solo
patron there for the game or a party of people.
Halterman said they're working on offering a
special to groups that reserve space for gatherings
or game day, too. For $12, a group can enjoy
a bucket of five beers or 20 hot wings. CV